<p>You can get your high school to send off your UCAS application and then add more universities after it has been sent off, by contacting UCAS. The details are here [UCAS</a> - Making changes](<a href=“http://www.ucas.com/students/offers/makingchanges]UCAS”>http://www.ucas.com/students/offers/makingchanges) but be aware that whilst it says you can add more choices until 30th June, you need to get any extra choices in by 15th Jan for equal consideration). I presume that your HS doesn’t want you to apply to >10 colleges because each college app takes time (both yours and theirs!) However, there’s no more work involved in applying for 5 universities through UCAS than 1. </p>
<p>I agree with Cupcake about the personal statement - make sure you seek advice from UK sources (such as The Student Room) as it is very different to anything that you would be asked to write for a US college application. </p>
<p>Gap years are very common in the UK - I had one and I know lots of other people who did. Normally people will work for the first half or so, and then use the money to go travelling around somewhere like SE Asia for the rest of it. Parental permission really doesn’t enter into it - as KEVP says, you’re a grown adult now.</p>